News From The Road

It’s been a long time since an update but I figured with most of the band members giving their own updates I would just leave it to the professionals. I was thinking the other day as I was watching the 5 different personalities come into the studio that it might be cool to let you guys in on what Magee, Jim Survis and I see everyday.

Tom Hamilton: He is usually the first one to arrive. The reason I believe for this is that he prepares for the studio like he was preparing for a test. Everything laid out and precise. He likes everything just so. He usually does his homework the night before and if he didn’t do it, he comes in early and crams before the rest of the guys come in. He is like a scientist in that way and I guess is one of the reasons his early Aerosmith nickname was “The Brain.”


Master of the Big Bottom Tom Hamilton.  Photo by: John Bionelli

Joey Kramer: On December 26th 2006 I officially named Joey Kramer the hardest working man in show biz. When the band wasn’t in the studio this summer one could find “Hardworking” Joey Kramer behind his drum set before most of you had your $4.00 cup of Starbucks. Now that the guys are in the studio each day Joey is usually second to arrive behind Tom. Instead of lollygagging or eating, Joey gets into his work clothes and heads immediately behind the traps. He takes his job very seriously and you can hear it in the grooves. He is the foundation of every song. He is the hardest hitting drummer in rock today, in my mind.


"Hardworking" Joey Kramer Rides his Ride.  Photo by: John Bionelli

Joe Perry: Joe or Brad come in next. Joe is still recovering from his recent knee surgery so I do my best Morgan Freeman and pick him up and drive him to the studio. Once at the studio he fixes himself in front of his Espresso maker and brews a triple Americano that would have any barrister green with envy. He then says his hellos and retreats to the studio. With java in hand he flicks off the stand by switch of his amp du jour and immediately fills the studio with a sound only JFP could make. He definitely is Aerosmith’s version of Steve Austin. “Joe Perry, Guitarist. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him, We have the technology. We have the capability to build rock and rolls first bionic axeman. Joe Perry is that man. Better than before. Better, stronger, faster.” Joe will be equipped on the next tour with a Northrop HL-10.

Brad Whitford: Brad on the other hand is looser than creamed corn. He is so cool and quiet we sometimes don’t realize he is even in the studio. Brad however is in tune with everything going on around him and can usually be found with a Strat slinged around his neck in the back of the studio.


Bad Brad Lays It Down.  Photo by: John Bionelli

Steven Tyler: The man with the golden voice is usually the last one to arrive. He comes in like the Tazmanian Devil all arms, legs and lips. He may have had one of the greatest lines I ever heard. One time when he was 5-10 minutes tardy to a meeting he said,” Wow, this is the earliest I have ever been late.” Much to his credit he is almost always the last to leave the studio at night.

It’s still much too early to even speculate what this album is going to sound like but I’ll tell you one thing. It will sound like 100% Aerosmith and you will like it.

The guys plan on hitting the road this summer and I am sure it’s going to be one helluva show. They are finalizing the routing and the special guests. One show is on the books for August at Sturgis. Look for tour dates to be announced here very soon.

Joe was in New York this past weekend taking part in a photo shoot for GQ magazine. He was pictured with 2 scientists. Dr. Rudy Tanzi and Dr. Francis Collins. These scientists are rock stars in their fields and GQ wanted to pair them with real rock stars. The photographer for this shoot was Ben Watts, brother of Naomi Watts. Other musicians who took part in the shoot were Sheryl Crow and Will I Am. Be on the lookout at a newsstand soon.


Joe at GQ Shoot with Bullets and Bones Guitar.  Photo by: John Bionelli

As luck would have it Tab the Band were in town in the Big Apple this past weekend and Joe and Billie got to see Adrian, Tony, Ben and newest member Sweet Lou Jannetty perform at Santos Party House. The club is owned by Andrew WK. AWK and Joe got to catch up on things before the show. As you all know Andrew opened for A-Smith a few years back. As of this writing TAB is scheduled to open for Modest Mouse tonight.

I have been told we may be spending a lot of time in New York in the upcoming weeks. That’s just fine with me because I love NY, too. It’s the Yankees I hate.

Big shout to Production Manager Extraordinaire Charlie Hernandez who is at home recovering from brain surgery. Rumor has it the surgery didn’t go 100% as planned as Charlie woke up believing he was a life long Red Sox fan. He was muttering Pesky held the ball and Bucky F’n Dent as he came too. He also said something about the Red Sox having won more World Series this decade than the Bronx Bombers. We are going to leave him be on this one.

Employee of the Week:

Goes to Donny Wightman! Donny as you know shines when the band goes on tour. He can be found patrolling the stage and crowd before, during and after every Aerosmith show. Although this year his Felix the Cat like reflexes may more resemble Garfield because of recent hip replacement surgery, he is still someone you want on your side when things get hairy. He also happens to be one of Ross Halfin’s favorite subjects and is quite photogenic. Women love him and men want to be him, but sorry girls he’s taken.  He is a true comrade.

 
Donny Talking to his Friend Rev. Willie G.  Photo by: Kripa Jones

See you on the Road!

John B.